One man was injured early last week in an ATV rollover at the River of Lakes resort in Bagley, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Department.

At about 5:20 p.m., Aug. 21, Jeffery Hedley, 55, of Bagley was driving his ATV on Willow Lane when he overturned it and crashed. He was transported to Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie du Chien by West Grant EMS for treatment of his injuries.

Further investigation found indicators that Hedley had been intoxicated at the time of the crash, which remains under investigation.

Residents, businesses, stakeholders asked to take short survey

By Correne Martin

Prairie du Chien started a community branding project in June to help develop and craft a consistent grouping of creative taglines, messages and graphics for the city. Together, PdC Main Street, the city, the chamber and the tourism council are gathering input from businesses, residents and other stakeholders who are passionate about the area.

To do so, these organizations would appreciate public input on what makes Prairie du Chien unique. People are asked to take a short online survey, hosted on Survey Monkey, at the following URL: www.surveymonkey.com/r/CV5QCHX. Responses will be kept confidential. The deadline to complete a survey is Wednesday, Sept. 7.

The old Brodtville Schoolhouse will host a public open house on Sunday, Aug. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Area community members from today and yesterday are encouraged to bring pictures or memorabilia to share.

Donations are also accepted at this time toward the preservation of the one-room schoolhouse.

Community Development Alternatives, of Prairie du Chien, is the fiscal agent for the Brodtville School Preservation.

Interested individuals may contact CDA at 326-7333 or Chuck Stagman at (608) 778-9490.

On Monday, Aug. 22, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department initially received a report of theft from a boat parked in the vicinity of Lot #15 at Kramer’s Court located in the township of Bridgeport.

The theft occurred sometime during the night hours of Sunday, Aug. 21, or the early morning hours of Monday, Aug. 22. The following items were stolen; five fishing rod and reel combos, a stainless steel prop, an Aquaview underwater camera, and a boat seat. The fishing rod and reel combos were described as red in color Rebo Rocket bait-caster reels attached to dark in color St. Croix rods.

The Crawford County Crime Stoppers urges anyone having information about this or any other crimes to call 326-8933 or (866) 779-PAYS. Anyone calling either of these numbers with a crime stoppers tip will remain anonymous and a reward of up to $1,000 will be paid for a tip which solves a crime with an arrest, charges being filed and/or recovery of stolen property.

A Prairie du Chien man was charged Aug. 22 in Crawford County Circuit Court with one count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of possession of marijuana, and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Benjamin J. McCarville faces up to a total of $11,500 in fines and four years and 30 days imprisonment if convicted of all counts.

According to the criminal complaint, a Prairie du Chien police officer stopped a vehicle on Aug. 4 on Marquette Road. When speaking with McCarville, who had been driving the vehicle, the officer noticed the odor of marijuana, the complaint said.

A search revealed a socket from a socket set which McCarville told the officer had burned marijuana in it. Also found in the search were a plastic baggie containing marijuana, and a wallet with a small plastic baggie containing meth, according to the complaint.

Somewhat incognito outside of his judicial robe, Crawford County Circuit Court Judge James Czajkowski retired July 31. He passed his gavel down to longtime friend and colleague Lynn Rider. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

After 45 years in the court of law—the last six on the judicial bench—judge James P. “Jim” Czajkowski has withdrawn any motion to proceed to a second term. He retired from his duties as the Crawford County Circuit Court judge on the evening of July 31.

Attorney Lynn Rider, who practiced law with Czajkowski from the mid-1980s through 2010, was sworn in as the new judge shortly afterward.

“The county will be in good hands,” Czajkowski said in support of his friend.

As Rider becomes acclimated, reserve judges will serve as her mentors, and they will also hear cases while she trains in other counties. After 75 days, Czajkowski can consider becoming a Wisconsin reserve judge himself, likely outside the county.

Plum Creek, a tributary of the Kickapoo River, in Eastman Township, overflowed its banks early Wednesday morning, Aug. 24. That area of Crawford County received about 4 inches of water overnight, while Steuben reportedly received 5.62 inches, causing significant flash flooding, damage and washed debris, road closings, etc. Flooding and scattered showers were expected to continue throughout the day Wednesday. (Photo by Correne Martin)

County S was among many Crawford County roadways covered with water Wednesday morning, Aug. 24. (Photo by Dennis Pelock)

The greatest amount of rain fell in the Decorah, Iowa, area, where between 6.71 to 8.46 inches were reported to the National Weather Service at La Crosse. In northeast Iowa, some communities were even evacuated, shelters were set up and the Salvation Army was working to assist those displaced by the flooding.

“Widespread and life-threatening flooding is occurring, and in some places near-historical river and creek flooding, after overnight rains in northeast Iowa,” said the NWS in a statement on its website. “Mudslides and water over roads are also reported in Richland and Crawford Counties in Wisconsin.

“Water rescues have been occurring when people have driven into flooded water.”

Crawford County Conservationist Dave Troester said that the county, working in conjunction with the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission, is in the process of updating the county’s Farmland Preservation Plan as are several other area counties.